Day
1 Sunday: Arrival and
Introductions
Starting at Puerto Natales, we drive onwards
to the Cerro Castillo border crossing where
we meet the regular bus to El Calafate in
Argentina (287 kms/180 miles). (Here may also pick up people who have been trekking Torres del Paine with us.) Arriving
in
El Calafate we transfer to our hotel. Calafate
is a small village set on the edge of Los
Glaciares National Park amid dramatic scenery.
In the afternoon (around 3:00 PM) we take
part in a guided excursion to the Perito
Moreno glacier, a very active glacier on
the southern
arm of Lago Argentino. The Perito Moreno
Glacier, a 60m-high relic of the Ice Age,
creates a
unique geographic event approximately every
three or four years. As it advances, it
pushes
out across the surface of the lake, cutting
the lake into two separate sections. As
water
pressure builds up on one side over the years,
the glacier eventually explodes open with
a torrent of water and a fury of calving
icebergs. Although this spectacular event
no longer
occurs as cyclically as it did during the
past 50 years, the Moreno Glacier is constantly
moving, calving, crackling; an incredible
sight and sound at any time. Later we return
to Calafate for our overnight stay in the
Hotel Libertador, Lar Aike or similar. (Meals
not included)
Day
2 Monday: Trekking
& Travel - Calafate to El Chalten
and FitzRoy
Early breakfast and continue with the regular
bus from El Calafate to Chalten (220 kms/138
miles). We drive on isolated dirt roads across
the pampas and along the northern end of
Lago
Viedma, reaching the settlement of El Chalten,
a tiny outpost beside Parque Nacional Los
Glaciares and by the foot of the impressive
mount FitzRoy. Time permitting, we will do
a trek by river Electrico along a side trail
with some of the most beautiful Lenga forest
of Patagonia. Trekking FitzRoy doesn't get better than this! Overnight at our hosteria in
Chalten. (Only breakfast included)
Day
3-4 Tues-Weds: FitzRoy Trekking
- Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
We will have the next two and one half days
to go FitzRoy Trekking and explore Los Glaciares National park. We shall undertake two
main treks into the nearby mountains. One
trek will take us to the FitzRoy Base Camp
(about 6-7 hours) and the other trek in the
direction of Cerro Torre (6-7 hours), but
this will depend on weather conditions at
the time. Most of these treks are on well
established trails so that shorter options
are often available. While trekking in the
park, the trails will take us to places such
as Laguna Torre, the base camp of Cerro Torre
climbs; Laguna Capri and Laguna Madre, Laguna
de los Tres and directly to the front of
FitzRoy
and Piedras Blancas. trekking Patagonia at its best! The scale of the scenery,
with it's jagged peaks and glimpses of glaciers
suspended between them makes these treks
extremely
rewarding. (Dinner not included)
Day
5 Thursday:
Trekking FitzRoy & Travel
- FitzRoy to Calafate
You are free this morning to relax at the
hotel or trek on your own in the FitzRoy
area.
Lunch at the hotel. Around 5:00 PM you are
transferred to Chalten's bus terminal on
time
to board the regular bus back to Calafate.
Your overnight stay will be in Calafate at
Hostal Libertador, Lar Aike or similar. (Only
breakfast included)
Day
6 Friday:
Travel - Calafate
to Puerto Natales
We take the early morning regular bus to
Puerto Natales (5 hours). Arrive around 1:00
PM with
enough time to visit the town. We may also stop to let people off who are trkking in Torres del Paine with us. Your overnight
stay will be in Hotel Aquaterra, Francis
Drake
or similar. (Only
breakfast included)
Day
7 Saturday:
Departure
Transfer from your hotel in Puerto Natales
to the bus station and board the regular
bus
that will leave you at Punta Arenas' airport
on time for your departure flight. (Only
breakfast included) If you are looking for an extended stay in Patagonia consider trekking Chile's Torres del Paine park.
PRICE:
$1795.00
USD
Included:
Five nights lodging in Calafate
and Chalten. All local domestic transportation,
park fees, one English speaking trekking
guide
for each 8 person groups, meals indicated
on itinerary.
Note: This trip can be booked directly through El Calafate which means that you can depart from El Calafate back to Buenos Aires on Day 6. An open jaw itinerary is also possible: arrive in Punta Arenas, go trekking in Chile in Torres del Paine, then go to Los Glaciares and depart from El Calafate. This option will save you time from our normal Punta Arenas - Chile trekking - Punta Arenas round trip but may be more expensive.
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| Experience Needed: Physically Fit |
| Physical
Challenge: Medium High |
| Cultural Experience: Medium |
| Lodging: Hosteria / Hotel |
| Comfort Rating: High |
| Days away from home: 9 |
| Days with us: 7 |
| Max Trip Size: 14 |
| Price: $1795.00 USD |
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| Region: Southern Patagonia Chile & Argentina |
| Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, FitzRoy, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares |
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Other non Torres del Paine Trekking options include: Trekking Patagonia in the Futaleufu Valley Lodge , Trekking Chile's Route of the Cowboys, Torres del Paine Trekking Tours , FitzRoy Trekking Vacations . We also offer two weeklong Futaleufu, Cerro FitzRoy and Torres del Paine combination trips: Trekking in Patagonia: Torres del Paine and Futaleufu Combo , Chile Trekking: Trekking FitzRoy & Futaleufu Combo , Patagonia Trekking: Trekking in Torres del Paine & FitzRoy. For further information see our Trekking in Chile FAQs
Downloadable pdf Brochure: Chile Trekking
